Time for government to stand up and help vete
Washington, DC – Amalgamated Transit Union International President Larry Hanley issued the following statement to mark Memorial Day:
“This Memorial Day, on behalf of the 192,000 members of the Amalgamated Transit Union, we honor those brave Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country to defend and preserve our way of life.”
“This is a day to cherish their memory and to celebrate all veterans, including many transit workers, who have served our nation in peace and war. We must never forget that the nation we enjoy today is here because of these courageous men and women.”
“Let’s remember those who gave their lives and thank our veterans for their loyal service to protect our nation. We must also remember how poorly our nation treats our veterans as politicians cut their benefits and many remain jobless, even homeless. The Veterans Administration stands as a public disgrace and dishonors these soldiers every day.”
“This Memorial Day as we pay tribute to the heroes who fought and died for our country, we call on our government to protect and stand up for our veterans as they courageously did for our nation. But more, if politicians have the guts to send our kids to fight and die, they should honor that service not with words, or flags or flowers. They should honor them by preserving “the American way of life” here at home, making that life better for all our families.
“You can’t be for veterans but not for protecting what they fought for our people---preserving pensions, social security, healthcare, and good paying jobs. That is the American way of life they fought and died for and it’s about time somebody said it. Politicians and corporate CEOs are giving away the legacy of our troops through outsourcing and deregulation and privatization. That’s what I’ll remember this Memorial Day and every day I fight, along with the members of the ATU to continue that battle for America.”